Sports: Pro Sports

Broncos' Manning-Thomas connection evolving into something special

Denver Broncos' Demaryius Thomas fights for a ball with Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Leonard Johnson during the third quarter on Sunday at Sports Authority Field. (John Leyba, The Denver Post)

The 10-yard touchdown pass was a perfect mix of preparation, precision and poetry. It was the latest example of the burgeoning relationship between Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning and wide receiver Demaryius Thomas.

That bond should be on full display Thursday night when the Broncos take on a reeling, injured Raiders team with the NFL's 25th-ranked pass defense.

The perfect pass arrived in the third quarter of Sunday's 31-23 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. When Thomas approached the line of scrimmage, his eyes opened wide with anticipation. He recognized he could exploit coverage from Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David — if Manning changed the play at the line of scrimmage.

Manning, the most cerebral of quarterbacks, saw the mismatch in an instant and quickly checked off. Thomas ran a perfect route, beating David and late double-team coverage by free safety Ahmad Black, to catch the touchdown.

"The pass was in the perfect spot between the two defenders," Thomas said. "That's the thing with Peyton. I'm just trying to get to the right spot on the field, because I know the ball is going to be there."

The touchdown, the second of the day for the Manning-to-Thomas connection, put the Broncos firmly in control 21-10. It left Manning beaming.

"What I liked about the second touchdown was that Demaryius was seeing the same thing I was seeing," Manning said. "He had another route and we changed it at the line. We were kind of on the same line. That was good to see — that kind of communication and growth."

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Thomas' status as a big-play receiver continues to grow. His 17 receptions of 25 yards or longer are tied with Detroit's Calvin Johnson for the most in the NFL. With Manning serving as his quarterback, teacher and taskmaster, Thomas is evolving into a go-to guy. He not only leads the Broncos in receptions (69) and yards (1,114), he's become Manning's primary receiver. Thomas has been targeted 103 times, most on the Broncos and tied with Tampa Bay's Vincent Jackson for 13th in the league.

"Demaryius has made a lot of big plays for us this year, and he'll continue to do that the rest of the year," offensive coordinator Mike McCoy said. "But all (the receivers) are licking their chops at the opportunity to play with Peyton."

Thomas is not the first receiver to blossom under Manning's tutelage. While in Indianapolis, Marvin Harrison, Reggie Wayne and Pierre Garcon all became stars by hooking up with No. 18. The Broncos' Brandon Stokley began his NFL career as a fourth-round pick out of Louisiana-Lafayette. Though he was tough, smart and fast, he caught only 60 passes over four seasons with Baltimore. Then Stokley signed with Indianapolis in 2003. He was injured for half of his first season with the Colts, but in 2004, he and Manning developed chemistry. Stokley caught 68 passes for 1,077 yards and 10 touchdowns.

"I told both Demaryius and Eric (Decker) that if you put the work in, and work harder than you have ever worked, and paid attention to what Peyton's telling you, you will have have a season that you never thought you could have," Stokley said.

Manning, aware of Thomas' immense talent, has ridden the third-year receiver hard, on the practice field and in the film room.

"He's always doing that, but he's just trying to make you better," Thomas said. "You can't take it personally, or take it too hard. He's just trying to make you a better player."

For example, Manning has relentlessly preached Thomas must come off the line of scrimmage the same on every play, whether it's an out route, a crossing pattern, a post route or a running play.

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"He's told me over and over, 'Make every route look the same. You want to be consistent and never let them know what's coming,' " Thomas said.

Manning, being Manning, is not satisfied with his quarterback-receiver relationship with Thomas. But he's excited about the prospect of what it can become.

"You can't get five years of experience in 12 games," he said. "Really, that's all we have is 12 games of experience. But Demaryius had an excellent game Sunday and made two really nice touchdown catches. I feel like every time I play with him, I feel like we improve."

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